July 13, 2018 11:54am EDTJuly 13, 2018 7:41am EDTFantasy booking a G1-style tournament with wrestlers from around the world — everyone except New Japan talent.(Credit: WWE)

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Published on Jul. 13, 2018

Jul. 13, 2018

The annual New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax has become one of the most anticipated four-week period of the year for pro wrestling diehards looking for great, bell-to-bell action inside the squared circle.

This year’s G1 Climax 28 gets underway on July 14 and over the following 27 days will include 19 shows — airing live on the New Japan World streaming service with all of them broadcast in English for the first time — featuring many of the best wrestlers in New Japan and in the world today.

The tournament includes 20 competitors who are split into two, 10-man blocks — an “A” block and a “B” block. The members of each block will face each another during the tournament, with points awarded for victories. The top point scorers from each block will square off in the G1 Climax final on August 12.

The winner of the tournament earns a contract for an IWGP heavyweight championship match at NJPW’s biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom, held annually at the Tokyo Dome on January 4.

Not everyone that can make a viable claim to be in the prestigious tournament considering that only 20 wrestlers make it in.

After the field was announced last month, NJPW English play-by-play announcer Kevin Kelly wondered what ten New Japan wrestlers he would pick for a theoretical “C” block.

Kevin recently joined me on Between The Ropes podcast and we took this conversation another step further; What would a G1-style tournament look like that included talent from anywhere in the world except New Japan? Which wrestlers should be included from WWE, Ring of Honor, Impact Wrestling, Revolution Pro Wrestling, Evolve, CMLL, AAA and everywhere else around the world?

It’s quite the interesting question considering the deep field of talented wrestlers performing across the globe. And I thought it would be an interested test study or, at least, a fun exercise in fantasy wrestling booking.

So, I reached out to various members of the wrestling media to get their input on such a tournament. All of them were asked to give 20 names and were given the option to add a few words about each selection. Some even went above that by putting them in blocks (Kevin Kelly and Nick Hausman), booking who would win each block and the finals (Jason Powell), or even alphabetizing them (thumbs up for the effort Kevin Eck!).

Altogether, 14 media members responded and their choices are below. A special thanks to everyone who participated.

B Block

Jason Powell

WWE main roster Block

AJ Styles: His position as champion eliminates him from winning my tournament, but he's among the best in the world.Samoa Joe: Joe wouldn't be my winner, but he'd be booked strongly enough to earn even more respect in defeat.Brock Lesnar: *Insert laughter over the date count.*Daniel Bryan: I'd save the Bryan and Rollins match for late and make it an elimination match based on the point total.Drew McIntyre: See Samoa Joe.Seth Rollins: Rollins gets by Bryan only to meet his Shield Brother in the final match to determine the winner of the block.Roman Reigns: I can finally book the heel turn and he pisses off everyone by turning on Rollins and beating him in the last match to determine the block winner.Shinsuke Nakamura: A guy who knows a thing or two about the G1.Finn Balor: See Nakamura. Balor would be asked to avoid smiling throughout the entire tournament.Kevin Owens: The ruthless Kevin Steen, not the blue paint covered sympathetic heel in the Braun Strowman feud.

Everyone else Block

Jay Lethal: The ROH Champion belongs in the tournament.Rey Fenix: I know you want WALTER or Matt Riddle, so book your own damn G1.Austin Aries: The Impact World Champion belongs in the tournament.Adam Cole: Yep, all three healthy members of the Undisputed Era are in and must face one another.Roderick Strong: He'll have a good match with everyone in the tournament.Kyle O'Reilly: O'Reilly has a strong run and essentially becomes a babyface in the process, Cole is essentially eliminated, but he cheats to steal a match from O'Reilly to eliminate him from the tourney and cements the babyface turn.Velveteen Dream: Dream is so over that he can look strong and come up short and the fans will still love him.Pete Dunne: Dunne is very good now, but heel Dunne is off-the-charts great.Pentagon Jr.: The Lucha Underground Champion is in and has yet another killer match with his brother Rey Fenix.Johnny Gargano: Upsets Aleister Black in a qualifier to set up a future NXT Title match, goes on to win the “B” Block.

Roman Reigns beats Johnny Gargano in the finals. The internet explodes about Roman beating one of their favorites, but Roman as a mega heel is money. Now if only Vince McMahon would see the light…

Mike Johnson

Brock Lesnar: He’d be the monster everyone needs to fight to get past, every night.Matt Riddle: With his MMA hybrid offense, he’d be the ground-and-pound specialist that can snatch anyone at any time.Jay Briscoe: Just sheer guts and raw, gritty brawling.Roman Reigns: Imagine the drama going against all that talent every night — especially the way fans reject him.Daniel Bryan: The type of dream scenario everyone who loves great wrestling dreams hopes to see him in, having one great match after another.AJ Styles: One of the best in the world. It would be nearly impossible for him not to have great matches over the course of this.Samoa Joe: Would be a great way to bring out everything that makes Joe shine in his best moments, the physicality, the striking, and the ruthlessness.Jay Lethal: Like an old-school star, the longer the matches go, the better his performances would be.Johnny Gargano: The best babyface in the world today, would certainly take the audience on a big emotional journey.Tommaso Ciampa: Certainly would be one of the most ruthless in the tournament in how he’s portrayed, so what would be interesting is seeing how he would fare against some of the other monsters.Velveteen Dream: If there was someone today built to go out and have a classic every night with every different style of competitor, it’s Dream.Andrade “Cien” Almas: It seems like everyone has forgotten how great he is. Almas would walk in today as a big underdog and shock everyone.AR Fox: A wild card — he can fly like no one else, but what does he do with all that varied competition?PCO: At 50 years old, the former Quebecer is a force built on sheer will. It would be interesting to see how he would fare in such a scenario.Bully Ray: In the right scenario, can still pull out great brawls.Rich Swann: The smallest man on my list, but certainly an entertaining talent.Austin Aries: #workethic. He’s not always the most loved in the locker room, but in a scenario like this, he would excel.Matt Taven: One of the more underrated, versatile wrestlers today.The Blue Meanie: Because, why not? It’s the freaking Meanie!

Justin Barrasso

Kevin Owens: Doesn’t have bad matches. In much better wrestling shape than people credit him, he’d shine in this tourney.Shane Strickland: Somehow, still a hidden gem on the indies.Seth Rollins: Rollins was born to wrestle in this tournament.Eddie Edwards: This tournament needs a babyface Eddie Edwards. Still surprised he’s never had a run in WWE.John Cena: The G1 always includes its top stars.Joey Janela: Seriously, who wouldn’t watch Janela vs. Cena?Dolph Ziggler: Another chance to prove he is the best in the world.WALTER: Spear knife chops all summer long.Adam Cole: Can works multiple styles, always eager to help his opponent shine, would fit in perfectly.Pentagon Jr.: Cero Miedo!Roman Reigns: Strangely underrated in the ring, would shine in this tournament.David Starr: Your favorite wrestler’s favorite wrestler. Shines every time he has the spotlight. The Miz: Perfect villain for the tourney, works a style that is compelling but can withstand these tournaments. Also, would be a career highlight for someone who is critiqued for his alleged lack of wrestling.Timothy Thatcher: His mat style would be a strong contrast to the rest of the field.Daniel Bryan: The sun would shine brighter if Daniel Bryan competed in the G1.Cheeseburger: My favorite type of dog? The underdog.Matt Riddle: Incredible talent, would provide lots of memorable moments in these matches.Josh Briggs: Menacing big man, who’s also a student of the game and gets to improve every night.AR Fox: If you watch Fox, you’ll rarely see a match that doesn’t deliver.Cesaro: My choice to win it all.

Jay Reddick, Orlando Sentinel

Seth Rollins: For my money, the best guy on this list.Chris Jericho: Nuclear every night, and easily a dozen first-time dream matches.Shinsuke Nakamura: Strong Style comes home. The pop would be epic and he could get his working boots on.Finn Balor: Another one we haven't gotten to see work without constraints in a while, with plenty of Japanese fans behind him.AJ Styles: Back to the spot where he became the best in the world.Daniel Bryan: A dream for him; maybe a bigger dream for a mark like me.Cesaro: From underrated to nearly forgotten in WWE, this would remind us all why he belongs in the upper echelon.Dolph Ziggler: Can work well with anybody, face or heel, and can be the designated guy who always finishes like 0-9 in the tournament.Matt Riddle: Can we finally get this guy on national TV somewhere?Jay Lethal: Your favorite wrestler's favorite wrestler.Ricochet: Just brings it every night.Rey Fenix: Because one great flier deserves another.Dragon Lee: And another.Jeff Cobb: This tournament needs a big guy who can go.Brock Lesnar: But only if he drops the Jimmy John's logos.Shane Strickland: A rising, versatile star.Cedric Alexander: The world can remember what 205 Live aficionados already know.Adam Cole: Greatness with anyone, baybay.Austin Aries: Needs more belts.CM Punk: Yep, I went there.

Aaron Oster

John Cena: A chance to see John Cena tangle with some of the best outside of the WWE? Have to include him.Seth RollinsAJ StylesCesaro: When I thought about it, he became a must because of how many different styles he can wrestle. See him brawling with Walter? Tossing Fenix into the air? Grappling with Matt Riddle? Yes.Johnny Gargano: The best wrestler of 2018 to date. To not include him would be foolish.Velveteen Dream: WWE snapped him up too quickly before we got to see him against some of the best around the world. Plus, this character facing a different person every night? Could be perfect.Andrade AlmasSamoa JoeJeff Cobb: The best non-WWE, non-NJPW wrestler in the world today.Tyler Bate: His strength and youth provides some incredibly compelling matchups.WALTER: Seeing him try to cave in the chests of every person in his block would be epic.Pentagon Jr.Rey FenixMatt RiddleShane StricklandDarby Allin: Wanted one more high flyer to round out the field, and he's one of the best in the world. He hasn't quite become a household name yet, but don't be surprised if that changes in the next year.Mike Quackenbush: Despite his semi-retirement, he's still a phenomenal technical wrestler. Only issue would be if his body could hold up through a month-long tournament. I'd want to see him try.Dalton Castle: Perfect guy for a G1-type competition. Is a credible threat, while also able to bring sheer entertainment when the night calls for it.Grado: You need a Toru Yano in the bunch. Nobody is better than Grado in that role.

Chuck Carroll

Austin Aries: Currently one of the best all-around wrestlers in the world. It would be good for him to expand his horizons here.Flip Gordon: He always brings a level of excitement with him no matter where he works. This would be no exception.Jay Lethal: His previous experience with NJPW and long tenure in ROH will serve him well.Matt Sydal: This is a wildcard, but I think his athleticism makes him an interesting choiceJohn Morrison: This is another guy with gobs of experience. I’m not sure that he’s cut out for strong style, but he would be fun to watch.Pentagon Jr.: He would be undersized in this tournament, but his high-flying, high-intensity lucha background makes up for any weight differential. Rey Fenix: Like Pentagon Jr., Fenix is an interesting choice for the tournament. It would be an interesting contrast to put him in with a match with a guy like Jeff Cobb. Size and speed vs. strength.Jake Hager: He has a background in amateur wrestling and is currently training to make his MMA debut with Bellator this year. In my book that makes him a perfect fit.Jeff Cobb: Another big bruiser like Hager. I like him for the same reason.Daniel Bryan: The “Yes Man" is a technician when given the chance. Bring back the American Dragon and take the WWE chains off. Plus, it’d just be cool.Adam Cole: He has previous experience in NJPW from his time with Bullet Club and was among the most popular names in ROH. His style and pedigree make him a natural fit.Marty Scurll: This is another Bullet Club member that would fit well here. Excelling in a tournament such as this would only serve to elevate his stock.AJ Styles: He is a no-brainer for the tournament and may be the best all-around wrestler in the world today.Seth Rollins: This is another wrestler whose time in ROH would serve him well. Like Daniel Bryan, it’s time to take the WWE chains off and work another style.Kevin Owens: Anytime there is a tournament like this you need at least a handful of big guys who can brawl. Owens fits that bill and his agility in the ring makes him an intriguing choice.Shinsuke Nakamura: Like Styles, Nakamura is a no-brainer. As a matter of fact, seeing those two in the finals and being able to work like they previously did in NJPW would be amazing.Aleister Black: This would be a good opportunity for the NXT Champion to tap into his martial arts background. Samoa Joe: He’s big, he’s strong, he can move in the ring and he has previous experience in Japan. That makes him another perfect fit. Sheamus: He’s an unconventional choice, but has the skill set to pull it off. Just watch out for that white chest to turn fire engine red working strong style.Rusev: See every other big brawler on the list.

Workhorses/cruiserweight division

Workhorses/hoss division

Frontrunners

Timeless division

Doug Williams: Aging villain trying to make most of a last chance in the spotlight.Christopher Daniels: Aging hero trying to do the same as above.

The rest

Jimmy UsoJey UsoRey FenixPentagon Jr.

All told, 14 media members selected 104 (!) different names. That shows how deep the talent pool to choose from is and the different directions each could go in. Some stayed with bigger promotions while others went with lesser-known but talented independent stars.

To no surprise, Seth Rollins was the top vote-getter with 12 votes. Right behind him was Daniel Bryan with 11 votes while AJ Styles received ten. Ring of Honor champion Jay Lethal checked in with seven votes while Impact Wrestling champ Austin Aries received one more with eight.

Here are some other interesting notes: Pentagon Jr. had a strong showing with nine votes as did Matt Riddle with eight; the currently absent WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar received six votes while Roman Reigns felt some love with five votes. Even John Cena got two votes!

The forgotten Neville even received a pick while four women were selected, three of them by Matt Fowler who loves the ladies and — apparently — inter-gender wrestling.